Book 18: Chapter 16
“Who told you to shoot?! Who told you to shoot?!!”
Although the chief’s first reaction should’ve been to shout at his men, it was already too late. While it didn’t look as though anyone on humanity’s side was hurt or bled, that wasn’t important to the humans. What was most important was the North’ attitude. As the North fired, the businessmen from humanity had a perfect excuse to escalate the situation. Troy could remain inside the Imperial Palace the entire time and ignore the humans at the plaza; however, if it developed into a diplomatic issue, he’d be forced to get involved.
The humans immediately started shouting. They picked up their weapons and rushed toward the soldiers. The gunshot didn’t scare the humans. To the contrary, it was the soldiers who were frightened. They panicked as they used their rifles to stop the group’s charge. They were nonchalant before, but they were afraid once the situation spiralled out of control. They were afraid they’d hurt another human with their bayonet. They erred once already; they didn’t want to err a second time. Nevertheless, that only fuelled the humans’ audacity.
If the humans broke through the soldiers’ lines, they’d rush to the Imperial Palace. If they charged into the Imperial Palace, Troy would be forced to show himself.
As for who fired the shot or if it was humanity that scripted it and acted it out themselves, nobody ever found out. Every guard’s gun that was recovered was fully loaded. The traces of gunpowder disappeared long ago. No soldier admitted to firing the shot, while humanity claimed they weren’t acting. Investigate as they may, they never found any evidence. What happened after the gunshot, though, was recorded.
A voice frightened the crowd and extinguished the humans’ rage. The dragon’s howl intimidated all creatures with inferior mana; in other words, the present anthropoids and humans. The crowd laid down the things in their hands with blank looks. The sky was dark. A menacing pair of eyes swept over the rioting crowd. The silver dragon swooped down and landed on the ground, generating a gale that caused dust particles to thrash about. The silver dragon scanned the crowd below it and howled at them again.
Everyone’s fear almost brought them to their knees. Nobody dared to meet with the dragon’s eyes that could practically melt their souls. Dragons were the most venerated and strongest species on the continent. Humans deemed dragons mythical creatures. Unlike elves, humans had never seen a dragon. They never even imagined that they’d encounter one. Not one person dared to budge. The soldiers were all startled. They knew about the story of dragons in the North, but they never thought there was one so close to them.
“Th-Th-Th-.”
“She’s one of my lovers. I never told you about it, but she’s actually from the dragon race in the North. Dragons have always existed in the North. Where? Right where the fur you’re looking for is located. The dragons have ruled the place since always.”